In a major win for law enforcement and a sigh of relief for residents, the Ashanti Regional Police Command has busted a sophisticated car theft syndicate that has been terrorizing the Metropolis.
The arrests, hailed as a significant breakthrough, were orchestrated by the Regional Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) and promise to dismantle a network responsible for a string of targeted vehicle robberies.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, June 23, 2025, Ashanti Regional Police Commander DCOP Mr. Emmanuel Teye-Cudjoe revealed the syndicate’s cunning methods.
For months, the police have been inundated with reports of individuals being followed and having their vehicles broken into shortly after withdrawing large sums of money from financial institutions.
“These thefts typically occurred when victims left their vehicles unattended,” DCOP Teye-Cudjoe explained.
The criminals, often operating in Toyota Highlander vehicles, gained access using either master keys or by forcibly breaking into the cars to snatch their ill-gotten gains.
Investigations laid bare their coordinated strategy: one suspect would loiter around banking halls and car parks, identifying unsuspecting customers with substantial cash withdrawals.
They would then tip off their accomplices, who would tail the victim, striking when the opportunity arose.
The police commander detailed a litany of incidents attributed to the syndicate:
November 15, 2024: A victim in a Toyota Camry had GHC 107,000 stolen from their vehicle in the Agricultural Development Bank parking lot at Ahodwo roundabout after withdrawing the money.The culprits were in a Toyota Highlander.
March 18, 2025: Another victim lost GHC 88,000 after withdrawing from a financial institution and parking near Obaa Yaa Chop Bar.
March 19, 2025: A woman who withdrew GHC 22,000 from Absa Bank – KNUST branch, had her Kia Sportage broken into at the KNUST Hospital Emergency Unit, with the cash stolen. The same Toyota Highlander was involved.
March 24, 2025: GHC 100,000 vanished from a victim’s vehicle after a withdrawal from Zenith Bank – KNUST branch, parked at Ayeduase.
April 9, 2025: A Ghana Commercial Bank customer at Suame lost GHC 95,000 from his Rav 4, parked at a food joint in Tafo Pankrono. Again, the familiar Toyota Highlanders were implicated.
June 11, 2025: GHC 85,000 was stolen from a victim who withdrew from National Investment Bank, Suame, and headed to Asawase Market. The syndicate in their Toyota Highlander again trailed the victim and tampered with their vehicle.
Following the deluge of reports, police launched an intensive intelligence-gathering operation, bolstered by the Intelligence Video Surveillance (IVS) system at the Regional Headquarters.
This led to the identification of two suspicious vehicles with fake license plates: a gold-coloured Toyota Highlander (GT 2471-14) and a black Toyota Highlander (GX 7124-12).
On Thursday, June 19, 2025, PID operatives successfully apprehended three suspects: Russell Ekenze (29, Taxi driver), Francis Friday (49, Politician), and Linus Agwazie (51, Trader). A crucial piece of evidence—a 6-inch T-shaped metal tool, believed to be a master key used in the thefts—was recovered from one of the vehicles.
During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a larger criminal syndicate, admitting to similar thefts at locations including Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Mayanka, Asokwa, Kumasi Central Mosque, Shoprite, and the Georgia Hotel area.
They also unmasked other syndicate members: Cosmas Maduabuchukwu, Ezuchukwu, C.J., D.D., and Lele.
DCOP Teye-Cudjoe revealed that Cosmas Maduabuchukwu sustained gunshot wounds during an attempted arrest and managed to flee.
However, intelligence led police to a drinking bar in Kenyase, owned by Gifty Ozurumbam and Gladys Ibrahim, who have since been arrested for obstructing police investigations by concealing Cosmas’s whereabouts.
Currently, five suspects are in police custody, and two of the vehicles used by the syndicates have been impounded.
A manhunt is actively underway for Cosmas Maduabuchukwu and the other accomplices still at large. Preliminary findings indicate that, with the exception of D.D. (believed to be Ghanaian), all members of the syndicate are Nigerian nationals.
Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, Russell Ekenze, Gifty Ozurumbam, and Gladys Ibrahim are being arraigned before court today to secure lawful remand.
Police Vow to Dismantle Network, Extend Investigation to Accra
The Commander assured the public that investigations are ongoing to dismantle the entire criminal network and bring all suspects to justice.
Notably, the suspects also confessed to committing similar crimes in parts of Accra, prompting the Command to liaise with the Greater Accra Regional Police to extend the investigation.
Separate Breakthrough: Nkawie Police Nab Murder-Robbery Suspect
In a separate development, the Nkawie Divisional Police Command has arrested a suspect in connection with a recent case of robbery and murder.
William Ofori Atta (29) was apprehended at Kukuom in the Ahafo Region for his involvement in the robbery and killing of Emmanuel Kwabena Boakye (28).
The tragic incident occurred on May 26, 2025, at Radiance Filling Station in Mpasatia, where the victim was employed.
A coordinated investigation by the Ashanti Regional Cyber Crime Unit, Kukuom Police, and the Nkawie Divisional Command led to Ofori Atta’s arrest from his hideout on June 21, 2025, at 5:30 a.m.
During interrogation, Ofori Atta admitted to shooting and killing the victim. He is currently in custody and will face justice in court. A mobile phone believed to belong to the deceased was recovered from the suspect and will undergo forensic analysis.
“We are Committed to Your Safety”
“We would like to use this medium to commend the swift collaboration between the various units involved in all the arrests made,” DCOP Teye-Cudjoe concluded.
“Again, the Command wishes to assure the public of its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens and urge anyone with further information regarding these cases to come forward.”
By PHILIP Antoh